Zambo Norte villagers declare NPA rebels persona non grata

Two “rebel-influenced” barangays in the Zamboanga del Norte town of Siayan have declared the communist New People’s Army (NPA) as persona non grata, the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion (53IB) said in a statement on Monday, November 23, 2020.

UNWELCOME. Officials and residents of Barangays Pange and Macasing take turn in signing the resolution declaring New People’s Army rebels as persona non grata on Sunday (Nov. 22, 2020). The two villages have long been under the influence of the rebels, officials say. (Photo courtesy of 53IB)

Sunday’s declaration was made through barangay resolutions signed by officials and residents of Barangays Pange and Macasing who said they can no longer bear the atrocities perpetrated by NPA rebels.

Fernando Tanyap and Jhonry Andique, the barangay chairpersons of Pange and Macasing, respectively, led the signing of the persona non grata declarations, the Army battalion said, adding the residents have listed the atrocities the rebels have committed against them, including extortion and collection of revolutionary taxes.

Barangays Pange and Macasing have long been treated by the NPA as “safe havens” in Siayan town, according to the 53IB officials.

The barangay officials said the presence of NPAs in their villages have hindered the entry of government services and infrastructure projects, such as farm-to-market roads.

The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr., PNA)